U07A1 Compare and Contrast Two Family Therapy Theories Essay

BFT maintains that family history creates a framework that forges the values, thoughts, and functioning experiences of each generation, as well as how the family of origin passes down this framework to succeeding generations (Bowen, 1985). Because anyone can become symptomatic with enough stress, a main assumption of BFT theory is that past emotional processes are currently influencing the present emotional functioning of the client, and change happens within the individual as they work to develop their “differentiation of self”. The differentiation of self concept describes the individual’s capacity in balancing the pressures of family

This paper will look at the logic of narrative therapy by focusing on 5 major points. This paper will begin by discussing how the narrative approach defines and perceives problems. It will address how narrative therapy views the nature of the relationship between the client and the professional. This paper will look at how problems are solved using the narrative approach. It will also focus on three main techniques used in narrative therapy, which will include externalization, deconstruction and re-authoring. This paper will also include a short narrative critique of the medical model.

Narrative therapy is way in which a therapist can help externalize sensitive issues, by allowing the client to take the reigns by talking through it outload with the therapist as the active listener. This objectification dissolves struggle and resistances and allows the client to address this issue in a more productive manner.

Why is externalising a central technique in narrative therapy today, and what are the limitations and successes of this technique?

Key concepts of narrative therapy are to externalization, objectify problems, and framing them into a larger socio-cultural context. The process of externalization, helps individuals develop a greater,

The primary goals in Bowenian Family Therapy are to lessen anxieties (and therefore blaming, conflict, and reactivity) caused by emotional responses, and to increase differentiation so that family members can

Narrative therapy is a way to look at a person’s life story and their struggles from an outside looking in approach. The problems become separate from the individual. Narrative therapy helps the client examine their life story from a strengths perspective. Instead of focusing on the problems the worker helps the client identify their strengths and skills. Individuals also identify the functional aspects of their life. When the client can think about how their struggles have effected their lives, the client is then able to identify what in their life is valuable and important as a whole. When the client can identify a connection to how their choices have had positive and negative consequences and actions they can start to understand the cause and effects of their actions. The role of therapist is to facilitate the client in creating a narrative for the next chapter of their life. It is by these reflective processes the client can focus on the strengths, values, skills and the positive aspects of their lives.

Narrative therapy was developed by Michael White and Davis Epston in during the 1980 's. Narrative therapy is described as a “ collaboration and non-pathologizing approach to counseling and community work which centres people as the experts on their own lives” (Narrative Therapy Centre, 2014). The basis of this theory is to separate the person from the problem so they rely on their own skill sets to eliminate their problems. Narrative therapy allows people to transform their personal experiences into stories and discover their life 's purpose (GoodTherapy.org, 2015).

273). Narrative therapist help to objectify client problems, reframe problems in a sociocultural rather than a strictly personal context, and endeavors to separate the problems from the family narrative, to “make room for other stories” (Find the Right Therapist, 2015). The therapist engages in a collaborative process with the client, deferring to the client as the expert on their own life. The therapist employs interventions to assist the client in the creation of a new narrative; one that is helpful rather than problematic. Michael White is the therapist credited with founding narrative therapy he describes the roll of the therapist as an active listener, who uses the client’s own language to deconstruct and “re-author” the clients narrative with new versions of the stories. The new narrative identifies resources and skills already present in the client. Finally the therapist assists in extending the narrative to an envisioned future that promotes positive growth and development for the client (White,

Both models are embedded in postmodern philosophy. These models are client centered and the therapists are trained to focus on the solution not the problem. Both Solution Focused and Narrative Therapy are relatively new so both schools of thought lack a ton of formal studies or evidence based research to back up their findings. In some ways both models lean on each other for results. A Solution Focused therapist operating in a cross cultural context where the story carries significant influence in non-western cultures would need the narrative therapy format to be effective with their clients. The same is true for a Narrative Therapy trained counselor from a Non-Western culture operating in cross cultural context where logic carries significant influence in western cultures would need Solution Focused

As a future marriage, couple, and family counselor it is important for me to have an awareness and understanding of the various theories that are available to use in counselling sessions. As my career evolves, so will my therapeutic orientation. I expect that my theoretical lens will shift slightly. In addition, developing my therapeutic orientation will help enhance my abilities as a therapist. My theoretical lens as it applies to human nature is discussed in this paper as it relates to the Marriage, Family, and Couple theory I selected. Also, discussed in this paper are techniques, factors, goals, related to the Bowen Family Systems theory. This paper will also provide an overview of the eight

Both the Cognitive Behavioral therapy and Narrative Therapy model are used to help persons with a wide variety of problems (addictions being one) learn how to view their world a bit differently. Cognitive therapy helps people to look at and to change disruptive beliefs and Narrative therapy helps people to put more attention on the positive storylines that make up their reality rather than just the negative. Both hold that positive thoughts and positive self-narratives tend to have a positive or advantageous impact on a person’s behaviors and emotions.

Within Narrative Therapy there are applicable assumptions. The aspects of these assumptions come from the conceptual framework of the theory. When we speak about the assumptions “Narrative therapy is rooted in postmodern theory. Philosophically, postmodern thinkers are concerned with the nature of reality and being and the nature and acquisition of human knowledge” (Cooper & Lesser 2011 p. 166). The first assumption is that, an individual is a functioning human of his or hers reality. The second assumption is that, “cognition, affect, and behavior are interactive” (Cooper & Lesser 2011p. 166). The third assumption is that, the development within a person is significant spanning across their life. The next assumption is that, “Internal cognitive and affective structures

Narrative used as a linguistic device has the potential to construct and transform the self, communicate identities with disorder to others (Thompson, 2012), and constitutes a social pedagogy about identity and ways of healing (Harter, 2005) that support psychological dialectical therapy. Explaining ones story, triggers sense making strategies allowing individuals to explore self identity in relation to illness, eventually developing a system of understanding where one begins to recognize and understand patterns in behavior (Thompson,

Narrative therapy is one of the post-modern therapies used today. Narrative therapy helps individuals identify their values, skills, and knowledge they have to effectively face problems in their lives. The key ideas of narrative therapy are: people’s stories give meaning to their lives, stories are shaped by emotional themes, a person’s story shapes his/her personality, people seek counseling when their stories do not match their lived experiences, and people who have less social power benefit greatly from Narrative Counseling. The concern is with meaning making and there is an emphasis on mindfulness and positive psychology. The process of Narrative therapy starts in the initial stage exploring the client’s issues. It then transitions into the insight stage to a deeper understanding of the issues. The insight stage is followed by the action stage, where the client and therapist work to change the story and therefore change the outcome. Lastly, there is the termination phase.